AN: First, I have to apologize for how long this update took. My computer crashed and burned, and I wasn't able to revive it. I'm currently typing on my friend's lap top. Second, thank you so much for all the faves and follows.

TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter is going to be heavy. Physical/emotional abuse, rape.

Previously on Sins of the Mother…

"I guess it's time that I told you my story Emma" The queen started. "Snow was certainly the catalyst for the curse. However, my own mother set things in motion long before she was a twinkle in Leopold's eye."

"My childhood was picture perfect, from the outside at least. Two doting parents, beautiful dresses, social engagements, lessons in all things befitting a lady of stature in the enchanted forest. From the inside however, life was a routine of cruelty and torture. My mother was ambitious, to say the least. She increased her own status through marriage, and was determined to further increase it through her children. I was the only child she was ever given to work with. It wasn't until adulthood that I realized she had let her ambition drive her to heartlessness, literally."

Regina was startled when Emma reached over and gently placed a hand on her knee, letting her know that she wasn't alone. The brunette took a deep breath and gave her princess a shaky smile.

"My father was a kind man. He loved me, and when mother wasn't looking he spoiled me the best he could. My father was also weak, and selfish. He refused to stand up to mother and remove my suffering at the cost of his marriage. In this way, he's just as responsible as her.

My mother tried to beat me into being the perfect daughter. She wanted to turn me into a queen carved in her own image. She magically removed any blemishes caused by her abuse. She only ever left me with one physical reminder of her torment." Regina traced a trembling finger along the length of the scar maring her otherwise perfect face.

Emma took Regina's hand in her own, and slowly leaned over kissing the scar tenderly. "This scar only makes you more beautiful Gina. A testament to the strength it took to live through your abuse." Looking into Emma's sincere green eyes, Regina found the strength to continue with her story.

"I know that by now you've heard the story of Daniel, and his death by my mother's hand spurred on by Snow's betrayal. What no one knows is that mother didn't think the death of my true love was punishment enough for the sin of trying to leave her.

Later that night, in the privacy of her chamber, mother magically held me down and carved up my face with my father's straight razor. The pain was agonizing, it felt as if she was peeling my face from my skull. I screamed until I had no breath, no voice, but it fell on deaf ears, including those of my father. I could feel my hot, sticky blood rolling down my face and neck. The coppery smell filled my nostrils to the point of nausea. I vomited on myself, and mothers dress. It was at that point she cut out my tongue. I promptly passed out.

When I woke up, the pain was gone but I was still covered in rivers of dried blood and vomit. The magic had been released while I was out, and I was able to get up. Dread filled my gut as I approached the mirror. What I found was both delightful and horrifying. Mother had removed all signs of the blade, except for this one scar. She left it as a reminder that she could do it again, anytime she wanted."

Regina had run out of steam, tears were streaming down her face and her whole body was shaking. Emma chose that moment to pull the brunette into her lap rubbing soothing circles on her back and whispering sweet nothing's into her ear. Eventually the queen's tears slowed and her shaking stopped. She sat up and took a deep breath, ready to continue. Emma cut her off before she could begin, "Gina, you don't have to tell me any more today. You don't have to tell me any more ever. I know beyond doubt that you had your reasons for the curse, and I have never blamed you for the way my life turned out."

"No Emma, I have to finish. You are the only person who deserves to hear the whole story, and I want to tell you before we get more… involved.

Soon after that night I was married to the king, your grandfather. He was loved by his people, worshiped by his daughter, and inspired loyalty in his soldiers and staff. He was a rapist. It started the night of our wedding, and continued almost daily for the extent of our marriage. I was never once a willing participant in our coupling, although there did come a point where I just shut down and took his punishment. It was always worse when I fought him.

Almost two years into our marriage, I fell pregnant. I was so relieved, thinking that my condition would stop his physical attention, at least for a little while. When I told Leopold the news, he was ecstatic. He immediately announced it to the kingdom, and a celebration was held in honor of the unborn child. Several months passed in relative peace. Snow and I worked side by side on knitting baby blankets and clothes. The king left me alone, except to occasionally run his hand over my belly, which was beginning to swell.

Then one night I was startled awake by his entrance into my personal chamber. I sat up quickly in bed, trying to cover myself with the sheets. As he approached I could smell the alcohol coming off him in waves. He was always especially violent when drunk. He ripped the sheets from my body, grabbed me by the ankles and pulled me flat on my back. I tried to argue with him, for the sake of the child, but it was of no use.

He pried my legs apart and proceeded to rape me. It went on for hours, just when I thought he was finished he would turn me over and take me from a different position. It felt as if he were impaling me on an iron rod. I began to feel something trickling onto my thighs. It was quickly followed by the smell of blood, and I knew that something was wrong. I begged him to stop, to get a doctor, to think of his child. My words fell on deaf ears. He eventually finished with me, pulled up his pants and left the room. By the time the sun was rising I had lost my child."

Regina paused, and dared to look up at Emma's face. Instead of the hatred and disgust she expected to see, all she found was empathy and love. "Oh my god, Regina, I don't have words for how sorry I am. You should never have had to go through that hell. The thought that it was my own flesh and blood who caused you such pain is sickening."

Encouraged, the queen continued. "It was that week the genie, Mr. Glass, came into my life. And using my pretty face, just like mother taught me, I was able to strike a deal. Leopold was killed, and I was left to rule in his stead. I think you know how the rest of the story goes."

Before Emma could formulate a response the women were interrupted by knocking on the door. "Mom! Is Emma in there with you? Her bug is outside, but I can't find her. I want to show her how to make pancakes!" Henry's enthusiasm brought small but real smiles to both of their faces.

"Yes dear, Emma is in here with me. Why don't you get the ingredients together and we'll be right down to make breakfast." The only response they received was the sound of their son's feet running down the hallway.

"Well my queen, it looks like we have to pause this for a while. But I want you to know that hearing the truth has done nothing to diminish my feelings for you. If anything, I admire you even more than I did last night." The blonde stood up and reached her hand out to Regina. The brunette clasped it, and allowed herself to be pulled up from the bed. "It looks like I'm the one who owes you a story now."

Regina smiled at Emma, keeping their hands together, "You don't owe me anything Emma. You never will. But when you're ready to tell me, I'll be here to listen." She opened the door, and led the blonde down the hallway towards their son.

AN: Thanks for reading. Next time there will be some fluff and some bonding with Henry. Don't worry, Emma's story is on the horizon.